Contamination of Low Platinum Catalyst Loading Cathodes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Abstract
Fuel cell vehicles have recently entered the market place (1). Future increases in technology adoption are dependent on concurrent cost reduction and improved durability (2). This is a major challenge because membrane/electrode assemblies based on low platinum catalyst loadings have shown inferior durability (3). Many processes limit the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) durability including the presence of contaminants in ambient air. Although a filter is added at the air intake to remove particulates and undesirable gaseous species, contaminant slippage, missed replacements after the filter has reached its end of life and other failures increase fuel cell exposure risks. A strategy relying on the understanding of contamination mechanisms is expected to result in a more robust system with the development of mitigation, recovery and maintenance procedures that supplement the air filter. Such a strategy is necessary because the impact of many contaminants is still unknown (4). Furthermore, relatively little contaminant related information is available for low platinum catalyst loadings (5-7).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 13, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1149/ma2018-01/27/1588
Entities
People
- Jean St-pierre
- Jing Qi
- Keith Bethune
- Yunfeng Zhai